national novel writing month

Everything You Need to Know – National Novel Writing Month

Hershman Rights1 Comment

A few days ago I was seeing NaNoWriMo everywhere and had no idea what it meant. However, after realizing that it stands for (National Novel Writing Month), it now makes sense as to why I saw it a few days ago and why authors and writers were the ones using the term. 

Now I just needed to do more research on what was actually going on around here! And behold, Nanowrimo.org A beacon for all things related to the nonprofit. It is such a wonderful organization that I had no clue existed. It gives support to thousands of writers to share their words and express their love of writing world wide. They have created such an impact and run year-round amazing programs. They truly have become internet famous, in their belief that every story matters. 

Your stories do matter and now I encourage you to write in the spirit of NaNoWriMo! If you did not know about this organization check out their very insightful website where you can also donate to help support. 

NaNoWriMo entails writers to write 50,000 words in the month of November (around 1,667 words per day). It also has to be a novel. See how far you can go, take the pledge!

You’re already six days in!

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Plotting Basics

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Earlier this week I posted about November being National Novel Writing Month. Even if you aren’t officially participating in the event, you might pose yourself a similar challenge over the course of 30 days. Some of us have story ideas practically oozing from our skin, while others are just left with the passion to write but don’t have the tiniest clue about what. I came across a fun (in my lame writing nerd opinion) article on Slate that talked about Wycliff Aber Hill’s 1919 manual for screenwriters. Screenwriter or not, you will find his plotting section helpful. His claim was that there are only 37 basic dramatic situations that can be used to start plotting for your story. I thought this to be pretty cool because it shows how basic plotting can start off as. You don’t need an intricate web of interlocking events right from the start. All you need is a basic idea for your plot’s ‘situation’ and you will be surprised what you can do with it once you start writing. Hopefully these suggestions will light the fire to your very own novel writing month. I outlined the basics below, but click the link above to get more details.

plotting

HAPPY SITUATIONS:

  1. Rescue
  2. Lost loved ones recovered.
  3. A miracle of God.

PATHETIC SITUATIONS:

  1. Entreaty.
  2. Love’s obstacles.
  3. Rivalry between unequals.
  4. Rivalry between kinsmen.
  5. A mystery

INSPIRING SITUATIONS:

  1. Loving an enemy.
  2. Sacrifice of one’s self for an ordeal.
  3. Sacrifice for one’s self for kindred (or friend).

DISASTROUS SITUATIONS WITHOUT CRIMINAL INTENT:

  1. Possessed of an ambition.
  2. Fatal indiscretion.
  3. Pursuit.
  4. Rebellion.
  5. Enmity between kinsmen.
  6. Effort to obtain.
  7. Daring effort.
  8. Vengeance.
  9. Kindred avenged against kindred.
  10. Mistaken jealousy.
  11. Involuntary criminal love.

DISASTROUS SITUATIONS WITH CRIMINAL INTENT:

  1. Struggle against God.
  2. Abduction.
  3. To sacrifice all for a passion.
  4. Adultery.
  5. Adultery with murder.
  6. Criminal love.

TRAGIC SITUATIONS:

  1. Loved ones lost.
  2. Falling a prey.
  3. Disaster.
  4. An innocent suspected.
  5. Obligation to sacrifice loved ones.
  6. To learn of the dishonor of a loved one.
  7. Mental derangement.
  8. To kill a kinsmen or friend before recognition.
  9. Remorse

Write on.

NaNoWriMo: Say What?

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I can’t believe it’s already November. As much as I love the summer months, I also love the holidays so it’s partially welcome news on my part. November is also National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo. If you haven’t heard of it yet, it’s exactly as it sounds. Between November 1st-30th, writers challenge themselves to put together 50,000 word novels. NaNoWriMo was founded in 1999 and has grown from 21 participants to 175,000 last year. The goal is to write until you finish. NaNoWriMo proves that writing isn’t just an individual endeavor- a little support, encouragement, and conversation with others goes a long way. Participants can share their progress with others on the website. You get acknowledgement when you reach your goals and a little push when you fall short. It also encompasses the importance of just sitting down to write and nothing else. The hardest part of writing a novel is the first draft. A first draft is never ever perfect. Setting a deadline makes sure you get the first step out of the way so you can spend more time making it a masterpiece, instead of thinking up a masterpiece.

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Participating in NaNoWriMo is no easy feat and could be overwhelming just thinking about it. But, just think of all you can accomplish when you set your mind to something for thirty whole days. I think you will be surprised at what you can do. Writers doubt themselves a lot since the goals they set are often huge. Try breaking down your goals and creating deadlines for each step. Let’s start with writing a complete FIRST draft in 30 days. Don’t worry about anything else.

Here are a few tips from International Business Times to have a successful writing month:

  1. Just focus on writing a draft. That’s all we need, nothing else.
  2. Spend some time planning. How do you want to attack your novel? Do you want to plot it out first? Or write on the fly?
  3. Make your writing a priority. This might mean declining a few Friday night cocktails or Sunday football game parties. Remember, it’s just for one month.
  4. Create daily writing goals that will get you to your 50,000 words. You might want to write the same amount of words every day or write more on certain days of the week and less on days you know you are busier. Whatever works for you, just make it work.
  5. Create a schedule. When will you write? How long will you write for? Will you do it all in one sitting or break it up throughout the day?
  6. Figure out where to keep your writing. What programs will you use? Google Docs? Dropbox? Pick whatever is going to be easiest and more accessible to you.
  7. Don’t write to get published, write to write. The goal is to get to 50,000 words- nothing else.
  8. Whenever you start doubting yourself, just keep writing.
  9. Edit sober [see #10]. In my opinion, I wouldn’t do a whole lot of editing. Just write.
  10. Drink wine! There’s actually a lot of truth to the effects of opening yourself up. It doesn’t need to be alcohol, but do something that relaxes you and frees up your thought process. Whether its listening to soothing music or eating a certain type of food. When we let our guard down, the possibilities are endless.

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Good luck and write on!